Mike Napoli Back in the Fold - 2/32

DennyDoyle'sBoil

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Look out, Koji.  All of the sudden, the competition for "third favorite Red Sox" just got way harder.
 

FanSinceBoggs

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Mugsy's Walk-Off Bunt said:
Damn. I was really hoping for that sandwich pick.
 
Me too.  I liked the idea of saving money, giving Carp a chance, and getting that draft pick. 
 
Now that Napoli is returning, I am against signing any QO free agents -- I don't want the Red Sox to lose their first round pick.  I'm hoping the market soon picks up for Drew, giving the Red Sox 3 picks between 25-40.
 

rembrat

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I am absolutely glad there is no incentives tied to this deal. Nap shouldn't be focused on getting X of games. Guaranteed money, baby.
 

Ed Hillel

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2/32 isn't a steal, imo, but it's a fair deal, and I'm glad to go high for a couple years, rather than add the 3rd year. Very happy he's back, and I'm quite interested to see how they handle the left side of the infield spot and possibly CF, though Napoli may give them the flexibility to ride with JBJ.
 

beta1296

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In a way I didn't really care if he came back. I was happy to take the pick and maybe see if Lavarnway could do the same switch from C to 1b or what Carp could do... Now that he is back I can't help, but want to say Fuck yeah!
 
Apr 7, 2006
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FanSinceBoggs said:
Me too.  I liked the idea of saving money, giving Carp a chance, and getting that draft pick. 
 
Now that Napoli is returning, I am against signing any QO free agents -- I don't want the Red Sox to lose their first round pick.  I'm hoping the market soon picks up for Drew, giving the Red Sox 3 picks between 25-40.
See, now, I was just being dry about that sandwich pick. Now I can't tell if you are being uber-dry or if you're just crazy.
 

DennyDoyle'sBoil

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If you need any confirmation on how crazy free agency is getting, consider this -- even if Papi meets his incentives, Napoli will have the highest AAV and highest salary of any Red Sox player next year.  He beats Lackey's AAV, I believe, by $50,000.  Obviously, that's highly misleading, because it was a two-year deal, and that's the important part, but it's still pretty amazing that we're over the moon and using words like "steal" for our new highest paid player on our $189 million team!  Things are really getting distorted.  
 

soxhop411

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40 Man is full, so a trade or DFA has to accompany the signing.

I would guess a DFA more then a trade.
 

steveluck7

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It's great that if he produces for the next 2 seasons, they can give him another QO after 2015 and possibly lock him up for one more season at, what, $16-17 million?
 

Sampo Gida

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DennyDoyle'sBoil said:
If you need any confirmation on how crazy free agency is getting, consider this -- even if Papi meets his incentives, Napoli will have the highest AAV and highest salary of any Red Sox player next year.  He beats Lackey's AAV, I believe, by $50,000.  Obviously, that's highly misleading, because it was a two-year deal, and that's the important part, but it's still pretty amazing that we're over the moon and using words like "steal" for our new highest paid player on our $189 million team!  Things are really getting distorted.  
 
He has been a 4 WAR player the past 3 years.  4 million/WAR is not a bad deal.  Of course, it depends on how real his performance was last year taking into account his BABIP and uncertainty of 1 yr defensive metrics, so his retrospective $/WAR may be a bit higher.  The real value is the number of years really. 
 

IdiotKicker

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Great deal for the Sox.  To get Napoli for 2 years is an absolutely huge move, and good for him for taking less to stay where he is comfortable.  It really is unbelievable how likable this team has become in such a short period of time.
 

Savin Hillbilly

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The wrong side of the bridge....
DennyDoyle'sBoil said:
If you need any confirmation on how crazy free agency is getting, consider this -- even if Papi meets his incentives, Napoli will have the highest AAV and highest salary of any Red Sox player next year.  He beats Lackey's AAV, I believe, by $50,000.  Obviously, that's highly misleading, because it was a two-year deal, and that's the important part, but it's still pretty amazing that we're over the moon and using words like "steal" for our new highest paid player on our $189 million team!  Things are really getting distorted.  
 
I think this is just a really good illustration (and vindication) of Ben's philosophy. Our highest-paid player is making $16M -- but we'll have 8 guys (at least) making $10M or more. It's like that batting order full of 115 OPS+ guys. Stock up on good, and you don't have to overpay for great.
 

terrisus

formerly: imgran
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Definitely did not see this happening - and especially at this price.
 
After having the deal in place last year, only for things to fall apart, Napoli essentially took a "make-good deal" for this year - and he definitely made good at it.
Would have thought he would have been looking at a big cash-in after that - and instead he signed for not all that much more in dollars, and the same amount of years, as he originally would have.
 

Clears Cleaver

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It's all good here. I still like the idea of kemp. But they don't have a true lead off hitter unless JBJ can grow into the roll by year end.

Be interesting to see if they offer/can keep Drew on a similar deal. At this point I can't see them offering him more than Napoli. I'm guessing he's a goner.

After that its probably all trades to clear 40 man and shore up UIF and OF.
 

Sprowl

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mpx42 said:
 
Rob Bradford ‏@bradfo12s
Source: Napoli agrees with Red Sox
 
 
The Qualifying Offer brings one player back to roost. Napoli signing makes it less likely that Drew will sign with the Red Sox, so it looks like the infield is set: Napoli (Carp) - Pedroia - Bogaerts - Middlebrooks. Now we need the unPunto.
 
Sprowl said:
 
If Napoli bolts, Carp has earned the lead half of a platoon: getting out of Safeco has shown his quality. Complementary right-handed hitting first basemen are not hard to find. Turtle teaches us: don't spend big money on a first baseman (medium-term medium money for an injury-hedged Napoli would be OK): 2 years, small raise over 2013. With Bogaerts, Bradley and Carp, the Red Sox are in a good position to see their Qualifying Offers fly away. Set them free.
 
Hey, hey, what'd I say?
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgfYSLNddGo
 

CaskNFappin

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Mugsy's Walk-Off Bunt said:
Damn. I was really hoping for that sandwich pick.
That's pathetic. Enjoy the here and now, man. We got him back on a steal......a guy who celebrated a World Series by roaming Boston shirtless and pounding drinks. I would have been cool with 3/45!
 

JimBoSox9

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Unless the man's hip (or beard) stinks openly of the grave it's hard not to see how 2/32 isn't a steal and a half in this market, warts and all.  Lovely.
 
 
Edit: I predict I start agitating for Carp around June 3rd.
 

TheYaz67

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Clears Cleaver said:
It's all good here. I still like the idea of kemp. But they don't have a true lead off hitter unless JBJ can grow into the roll by year end.

Be interesting to see if they offer/can keep Drew on a similar deal. At this point I can't see them offering him more than Napoli. I'm guessing he's a goner.

After that its probably all trades to clear 40 man and shore up UIF and OF.
 
Yup - trade one of Dempster/Peavy and you can free up quite a bit for another OF (if Beltran will take 2/$28 or something like that I feel good about him) and bank the rest for needs as the come up (or a UIF), and stay under the $189M - X takes over at short, which is necessary given the 8 players making between $10 and $16M already.....
 
Awesome job for Ben getting this done, and good psyche for Naps and the Sox "completing" the original deal in a sense, and rewarding Naps for his being willing to shift the risk to himself last year re the hips - he earned the extra cash, and if we trade one of Dempster/Peavy, we can definitely afford to give him that bump...
 
For right handed power and clubhouse chemistry, he was the most important of the FA's to resign....
 

The Gray Eagle

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Nice, Napoli wants to win and he wants to win in Boston. That is the kind of guy we need, so it's great to have him back at a salary that works well for the team but still gives him a pay raise for his awesome big hits and good D that helped us win a title. 
 
This is a move of a guy who loves the Winning in Boston Experience and wants more of it.
 

beta1296

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TheYaz67 said:
 
Yup - trade one of Dempster/Peavy and you can free up quite a bit for another OF (if Beltran will take 2/$28 or something like that I feel good about him) and bank the rest for needs as the come up (or a UIF), and stay under the $189M - X takes over at short, which is necessary given the 8 players making between $10 and $16M already.....
 
Awesome job for Ben getting this done, and good psyche for Naps and the Sox "completing" the original deal in a sense, and rewarding Naps for his being willing to shift the risk to himself last year re the hips - he earned the extra cash, and if we trade one of Dempster/Peavy, we can definitely afford to give him that bump...
 
For right handed power and clubhouse chemistry, he was the most important of the FA's to resign....
Beltran to the Yanks at 3/45 so he is off the board.
 

Jed Zeppelin

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Two years is great. The Sox clearly care more about years than money for non-essential players, and it's good to see Nap back on those terms. Overpaying in money rather than years is a good way to exercise our financial muscle.
 

Sprowl

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Back in play, beard(s)
 
Sampo Gida said:
I do expect some regression from his 367 BABIP though... 
 
...because some of those doubles will turn into home runs.
 

E5 Yaz

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When looked like Texas might be in lead for Napoli today, large group of Red Sox players urged for front office to make push. They did.
 
 
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I love the lack of length of the contract, but count me in the minority - who thinks 16 per is too much for a non-elite talent (1B sub .850 OPS)  like Napoli.
 
I'd rather have Ellsbury + more AB for Lavarnway, Nava, and Carp,  than Napoli + AJP.
 
Really hope I'm wrong once 2016 rolls around.
 

JimD

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Great news - the one guy the team 'had' to resign, IMO.  As other have noted, this makes it much more palatable to go with JBJ now that Napoli's bat is back in the lineup.
 
Amidst the growing concern that Napoli would be lost in the aftermath of Ellsbury's and Cano's ridiculous deals, Ben coolly gets it done.
 

Corsi

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Jed Zeppelin

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Dan to Theo to Ben said:
I love the lack of length of the contract, but count me in the minority - who thinks 16 per is too much for a non-elite talent (1B sub .850 OPS)  like Napoli.
 
I'd rather have Ellsbury + more AB for Lavarnway, Nava, and Carp,  than Napoli + AJP.
 
Really hope I'm wrong once 2016 rolls around.
It's not like they chose Nap over Ellsbury. They weren't signing the latter at that money/length no matter what.
 

DanoooME

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The AAV really was secondary to the length of the deal.  I have no issues with this deal whatsoever.
 
And I think the major deals are done.  They might fine tune the bench and the back of the pen a little, but other than a backup MIF, pretty much all the spots are full.  I'm sure Ben will keep his eyes open for an upgrade, but I think this is pretty much the team they go into battle with in 2014.
 

JimD

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Dan to Theo to Ben said:
I love the lack of length of the contract, but count me in the minority - who thinks 16 per is too much for a non-elite talent (1B sub .850 OPS)  like Napoli.
 
I'd rather have Ellsbury + more AB for Lavarnway, Nava, and Carp,  than Napoli + AJP.
 
Really hope I'm wrong once 2016 rolls around.
For what the Sox would have had to pay to lure Ellsbury back, they'd have been stuck paying him a whole lot more than $16 million long past the the point he ceased being a non-elite talent himself.
 

radsoxfan

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Corsi said:
 
If it really was 3/39 vs 2/32, I don't think thats really leaving that much on the table.
 
Sure, he has the hip issue and thats a bit of a wildcard in his individual case.  I'd probably go 3/39 over 2/32, and definitely appreciate that Nap wants to come back to Boston.
 
But it's really not that big of a difference.  Not crazy for him to bet on himself and think he could get at least a 1/7 deal at the age of 34 to make up the difference, and perhaps he could do much better.
 

Van Everyman

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I'd rather have Ellsbury + more AB for Lavarnway, Nava, and Carp, than Napoli + AJP.


You'd have rather paid $150M over 7 years for Ells than $32M for 2 of Napoli? Really?
 

Devizier

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Dan to Theo to Ben said:
I love the lack of length of the contract, but count me in the minority - who thinks 16 per is too much for a non-elite talent (1B sub .850 OPS)  like Napoli.
 
I'd rather have Ellsbury + more AB for Lavarnway, Nava, and Carp,  than Napoli + AJP.
 
Well, kinda. I would have rather seen the Red Sox sign Ellsbury, too. But that train has left the station. At this point, I was resigned to seeing the Sox sign a 5th OF and some reclamation projects for the bullpen, so +Napoli sure as hell beats that scenario.
 
Now, I'm hoping the team moves one of the two 1B/LF to make room for a true UO.
 

Pumpsie

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Of the Sox' four free agents, Napoli was the guy they most had to sign.  There really isn't anyone in-house who could do nearly as good a job there.  Two years is perfect.  

I wonder if Bogaerts can really handle SS well enough in the bigs, though, (and Middlebrooks can handle third) or if the Sox are still looking for a shortstop or even still keeping the door open for Drew.  Now that Drew has his new glasses, I think he's going to hit better in 2014. 
 
Apr 7, 2006
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CaskNFappin said:
That's pathetic. Enjoy the here and now, man. We got him back on a steal......a guy who celebrated a World Series by roaming Boston shirtless and pounding drinks. I would have been cool with 3/45!
It was sarcasm. YOU enjoy the here and now.
 

Ed Hillel

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radsoxfan said:
 
If it really was 3/39 vs 2/32, I don't think thats really leaving that much on the table.
 
Sure, he has the hip issue and thats a bit of a wildcard in his individual case.  I'd probably go 3/39 over 2/32, and definitely appreciate that Nap wants to come back to Boston.
 
But it's really not that big of a difference.  Not crazy for him to bet on himself and think he could get at least a 1/7 deal at the age of 34 to make up the difference, and perhaps he could do much better.
 
Right, and if he he plays well, he's probably going to get the Qualifying Offer anyway, which, by that time, will basically put him at about 3/48 over the same time. He really only left money on the table if his hip completely explodes. One could argue either way, but assuming health, I think 2/32 is the better financial choice, especially since it gives him a greater chance of getting another long-term deal.
 

glennhoffmania

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Great deal.  I would've been pretty bummed if they let him walk over a fairly small amount of cash.
 

twibnotes

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I like Mike.

More and more everyday.


Whatever happens, any player who takes less to play here deserves our support. Love it when a player does that - it's an acknowledgement that Boston is a great place to play and therefore a tip of the hat to us hardcore fans.